Working Conditions

George Saunders Pastoralia

Society in 1990

janet

Other characters

Protagonist

storytelling

Repitition

Dry Humor

Repitition

Storytelling

Dry Humor

Repitition

Storytelling

Dry Humor

Repetition of "poke their heads in"

“Five more hours and I can enter my Separate Area and find out. Which is fine. Really not a problem. Because I’m Thinking Positive/Saying Positive.” (Page 13)

"The problem is, what am I going to do during the hour that I'm supposed to be skinning the goat with the flint? I decide to pretend to be desperately ill. I rock in a corner and moan."

Workers treated badly by customers and boss doesn't care

Intro

"I have to admit I'm not feeling my best. Not that I'm doing so bad. Not that I really have anything to complain about. Not that I would actually verbally complain if I did have something to complain about.

What am I supposed to say to that? It puts me in a bad spot. She thinks I'm a goody-goody and that her speaking English makes me uncomfortable. And she's right. It does. Because we've got it good."

The Protagonist starts by describing current situation. Others have worse situations. Tries to stay positive.

Careless notes received from boss.

"Haiha! sorry about the no goat and all. A liitle mixup. In the future, when you look in here for a goat on every occasion you will find a goat and not a note. Or maybe both.Ha-ha!Happy eating!"

“In terms of austerity, no goat today. In terms of verisimilitude, mount this fake goat and tend as if real. Mount well above the fire to avoid burning. In event of burning, leave area, burning plastic may release harmful fumes. (pg 11)”

What other characters say that point out the bad working conditions

"How about me says Janet. "Ha-ha! says Nordtrom, "Not you. Not today. Maybe soon, however!"(pg6)

"I want to stab you, Dad," says the little boy. "with a sharp sword, you're so dumb."

"How about me says Janet. "Ha-ha! says Nordtrom, "Not you. Not today. Maybe soon, however!"(pg6)

“Whoa”,” These are some very cramped living quarters.” (pg.4)

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The author uses sarcasm and exaggeration. The protagonist is forced to do ridiculous tasks.

"All afternoon we pretend to catch and eat small bugs. We pretend to catch and eat so many pretend bugs than could ever actually live in one cave. The number of pretend bugs."

Protagonists mentions they are not allowed to speak English in the workspace.

Janet is continuously complaining about her working conditions

"Crackers, crackers, crackers!" She says, pitifully. "Jesus, I wish you'd talk to me. I don't see why you won't. I'm about to go bonkers. We could at least have some fun."

“but as you know we are not supposed to speak English in the cave.” (Page 7)

There is no respect for the workers

Janet is in desperate need to suport herself and her family, but she is stuck at this job

"Come on, man," she says. "He's my son. You know how it is. You got a sick kid, I got a sick kid."

Monotonous and tedious useless jobs

Workers are abused and not taken care of

Since Nisha has nothing more promising and the Strikers are willing to pay her well, she takes on the task of shaping the new pup to be just like the other dog

“The highest unemployment rate since 1940 was recorded during this time period. The unemployment rate hit 10%, and over 11 million people were unemployed.” This event raised the gaps between social classes as the gap between the rich and the poor increased.

“The crash started in Hong Kong, then spread to Europe, finally hitting the United States. The Dow dropped 508 points that day, which is a 22.6% drop in one day.” The stock market caused many people to lose their jobs and a high unemployment rate.